LATVIJAS INFORMACIJAS TEHNOLOGIJU KLASTERIS

Their core work

The Latvian Information Technology Cluster is a national industry association based in Riga that organizes and represents Latvia's ICT sector, connecting technology companies, startups, and research actors within a shared ecosystem. Their H2020 work centers on Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH) — regional infrastructure nodes that help SMEs access digital technologies, test new solutions, and adopt Industry 4.0 practices. They participated in BOWI, a project specifically designed to extend the European DIH network into underrepresented ("widening") countries, and in STARTUP3, which supported deep-tech startups in improving their market readiness. In practice, they act as a national gateway — channeling European digital innovation programs into the Latvian business community and bringing Latvian ICT actors into pan-European consortia.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Both H2020 projects started in 2020, which means there is effectively no temporal evolution visible in this dataset — the organization entered EU-funded work in a single wave focused entirely on Digital Innovation Hubs and startup support. The absence of keywords in the "recent period" reflects the short project durations and thin data rather than a shift in direction. Any meaningful evolution in their focus would require observing activity beyond 2021–2023, which this dataset does not cover.

Based on available data, the cluster is positioned as a widening-country enabler in the European DIH ecosystem — future collaborations are most likely in projects that connect Eastern European SMEs with digital tools, Industry 4.0 programs, or startup development initiatives.

How they like to work

The cluster has participated in both projects exclusively as a partner, never as coordinator, which is typical for national cluster associations acting as regional nodes in larger European networks. With 20 unique partners across 16 countries from just two projects, they clearly operate within broad, multi-national consortia rather than tight bilateral relationships. This suggests they are comfortable in large, loosely coupled project structures and likely contribute through national network mobilization — bringing in local SMEs and companies — rather than through technical leadership.

Despite only two projects, the cluster has already connected with 20 distinct partners spanning 16 countries, which indicates strong integration into pan-European digital innovation networks. Their geographic spread points to involvement in large EU-wide consortium programs rather than bilateral or regional-only collaborations.

What sets them apart

As Latvia's dedicated ICT industry cluster, this organization holds a specific and relatively rare position: a nationally recognized gateway for EU digital innovation programs into the Latvian business ecosystem. For consortium builders, they offer direct access to Latvia's ICT community and SME base, which is particularly valuable in projects requiring geographic widening or Baltic/Eastern European representation. Their focus on DIH infrastructure also means they have existing relationships with the regional companies most likely to adopt and pilot new digital technologies.

Highlights from their portfolio

• BOWI
  The cluster's largest and longest project (2020–2023, EUR 119,375), focused on extending the European Digital Innovation Hub network into widening countries — placing the cluster at the center of a strategic EU priority to reduce the digital innovation gap between member states.
• STARTUP3
  A short, targeted action (2020–2021) supporting deep-tech startups, showing the cluster's capacity to operate in fast-cycle, market-oriented programs beyond infrastructure-building.